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September 29, 2009, will be a big day for concealed carry permit holders in Arizona. For the first time since the passage of Arizona's concealed carry legislation in 1994, permit holders will be able to legally carry their concealed firearms into a restaurant or bar that serves alcohol.

While permit holders will not be permitted to consume alcohol, they will be able to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to self defense should the need arise. For the past 15 years this has not been the case. Arizona's original concealed carry laws prohibited anyone from carrying a firearm into any establishment that served alcohol for consumption "on the premises".

While the original intent was to maintain a separation of firearms and alcohol consumption, the actual effect was to disarm otherwise law abiding citizens who wished to dine out while maintaining possession of their legally carried firearms.

There is ample evidence of the fact that legally armed citizens can peacefully enjoy their restaurant meals without incident. Arizona was actually the 40th state to pass legislation permitting concealed carry in restaurants and bars by lawful permit holders.

Under the new law, restaurant owners maintain the right to prohibit concealed carry by their patrons. They can post "no firearms" signs meeting certain size, content and location requirements. The sign must be displayed immediately adjacent to the establishment's liquor license and should also be prominently displayed at the entrance to the establishment. Concealed carry permit holders may legally enter an establishment for the purpose of determining if firearms are permitted.

The new law applies only to lawful concealed carry by a permit holder. Open carry of a firearm in a restaurant or bar serving alcohol is not permitted under the new law.

Many Arizonans are curious as to how many of these signs will go up in restaurants and bars across the state. There is widespread speculation that most restaurants will be routinely putting up the "no firearms" signs. Organizations like the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association are considering publishing a list of "firearms friendly" restaurants to help guide their membership to establishments that support the new legislation.

While only time will tell how well the new legislation will be received by restaurant and bar owners, I'm betting that most of the 138,000 plus permit holders in Arizona are hoping that the number of restaurants putting up the "no firearms" signs will be small.

A. A person with a permit issued pursuant to section 13-3112 or who meets the criteria specified in section 13-3102, subsection D, paragraph 1 or 2 may carry a concealed handgun on the premises of a licensee who is an on-sale retailer unless the licensee posts a sign that clearly prohibits the possession of weapons on the licensed premises. The sign shall conform to the following requirements:

1. Be posted in a conspicuous location accessible to the general public and immediately adjacent to the liquor license posted on the licensed premises.

2. Contain a pictogram that shows a firearm within a red circle and a diagonal red line across the firearm.

B. A person shall not carry a firearm on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer if the licensee has posted the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section.

C. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection B of this section if:

1. The person was not informed of the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section prior to the violation.

2. Any one or more of the following applies:

(a) At the time of the violation the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section had fallen down.

(b) At the time of the violation the person was not a resident of this state.

(c) The licensee had posted the notice prescribed in subsection A of this section not more than thirty days prior to the violation.

D. The department of liquor licenses and control shall prepare the signs required by this section and make them available at no cost to licensees.

E. The signs required by this section shall be composed of block, capital letters printed in black on white laminated paper at a minimum weight of one hundred ten pound index. The lettering and pictogram shall consume a space at least six inches by nine inches. The letters comprising the words "no firearms allowed" shall be at least three-fourths of a vertical inch and all other letters shall be at least one-half of a vertical inch.

F. This section does not prohibit a person who possesses a handgun from entering the licensed premises for a limited time for the specific purpose of either:

1. Seeking emergency aid.

2. Determining whether a sign has been posted pursuant to subsection A of this section.

Thanks...

RRG...
Thanks for all of the information...

I have always removed my sidearm prior to entering any restaurants and/or bars..., however, I am now in my 16th year as a committee member for a fishing tournament that we put on every spring. We have our weekly meetings at Jotini's and, I was just asking prior to going into our 1st meeting of the season.

I have always checked signs at the doors (everywhere)..., but I was just looking for a quick answer.